An auxiliary verb qualifying the meaning of another verb, by expressing:
(a) Ability, competency, or possibility; -- now oftener expressed by can.
How may a man, said he, with idle speech, Be won to spoil the castle of his health!
For what he [the king] may do is of two kinds; what he may do as just, and what he may do as possible. --Bacon.
For of all sad words of tongue or pen The saddest are these: "It might have been." -- (
Thou mayst be no longer steward. - (c) Contingency or liability; possibility or probability.
Though what he learns he speaks, and may advance Some general maxims, or be right by chance. (d) Modesty, courtesy, or concession, or a desire to soften a question or remark.
How old may Phillis be, you ask.
(e) Desire or wish, as in prayer, imprecation, benediction, and the like. "May you live happily."
"Might" is most commonly used to express possibility. It is also often used in conditional sentences. English speakers can also use "might" to make suggestions or requests, although this is less common in American English.
Examples:
- Your purse might be in the living room. possibility
- If I didn't have to work, I might go with you. conditional
- You might visit the botanical gardens during your visit. suggestion
- Might I borrow your pen? request
Using "Might" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "might" behaves in different contexts.| Modal Use | Positive Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future | Negative Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future | You can also use: |
| might possibility | 1. She might be on the bus. I think her car is having problems. 2. She might have taken the bus. I'm not sure how she got to work. 3. She might take the bus to get home. I don't think Bill will be able to give her a ride. | 1. She might not be on the bus. She might be walking home. 2. She might not have taken the bus. She might have walked home. 3. She might not take the bus. She might get a ride from Bill. | could, may |
| might conditional of may | 1. If I entered the contest, I might actually win. 2. If I had entered the contest, I might actually have won. 3. If I entered the contest tomorrow, I might actually win. Unfortunately, I can't enter it. | 1. Even if I entered the contest, I might not win. 2. Even if I had entered the contest, I might not have won. 3. Even if I entered the contest tomorrow, I might not win. | |
| might suggestion | 1. NO PRESENT FORM 2. You might have tried the cheese cake. 3. You might try the cheesecake. | 1. NO PRESENT FORM 2. PAST FORM UNCOMMON 3. You might not want to eat the cheese cake. It's very calorific. | could |
| might request (British form) | Might I have something to drink? Might I borrow the stapler? Requests usually refer to the near future. | NEGATIVE FORMS UNCOMMON | could, may, can |
"Might not" suggests you do not know if something happens. "Could not" suggests that it is impossible for something to happen.
Examples:
- Jack might not have the key. Maybe he does not have the key.
- Jack could not have the key. It is impossible that he has the key.
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